SPIRITS CHALLENGE

AMATEUR CHALLENGE

Other Award Winners:

Give to Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier for their tireless dedication to bringing Chardonnay to the world stage.

The Wine Tasting Challenge Distinguished Sponsor Award

Given to a long standing sponsor of the Challenge who shares the passion for the spirit to which the competition inspires.

2010: Moray Tawse, Tawse Winery

Prize List for 2010

Prizes are posted as they are confirmed...

Tawse Winery

Cash awards towards winners trips and education ($10,000.00)

Thomas George Estates

One of our newest sponsors to the Challenge - Thomas George Estates is on board with a $10,000 cash donation! From a Canadian family in Toronto, Jeremy Baker worked in the restaurant and wine industry on the sales and marketing side now taking his talents to making it. Named for father, Thomas, and grandfather, George, the Baker's are living out their dream of making wine in California. Recognizing the importance of the Canadian market (and their roots) remains the focus of this local family producing world class wines from the Russian River Valley, California.

CAVA Restaurant

Gift Certificate for dinner for 2 at CAVA Restaurant in Toronto.

CRUSH Wine Bar

To the winner and a guest enjoy this $200 Gift Certificate to Crush Wine Bar - Toronto's premier wine destination, featuring over 60 wines by the glass, representing every wine region from around the globe. These wines are the perfect foil for Chef Michael Wilsons regional inspired cuisine. Whether looking for a quick glass, a business dinner, or simply a great night out with friends, Crush will be this lucky winner's destination.

Indian Rice Factory

Dinner for 2 at the Indian Rice Factory restaurant in Toronto

Didier Restaurant

Dinner for 2 at Didier Classic French Cuisine restaurant in Toronto.

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Join Paul, Matthew or Daniel Speck, the brothers who own Henry of Pelham, for an eco-tour of their estate vineyards along Niagara's Short Hills Bench. Afterwards an indepth tasting of their wines will follow in Canada's largest underground barrel cellar. This is a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how family tradition and innovation combine to produce quality, sustainable wines of origin. Prior booking is necessary to ensure availability of the winery principals.

Cave Spring Cellars Ltd.

One nights accommodation at the Jordan House (contemporary room) plus an enhanced continental breakfast at On The Twenty Restaurant. Also included will be an in-depth vineyard and winery tour conducted by one of Cave Springs' principals.

DIAGEO

TRIP: To the winner of the "Spirits Round" goes a trip for two to SCOTLAND. Trip includes a VIP tour of distilleries.

Companions of the Quaich

Three course dinner for two including a whisky tasting. This prize will be as a special guest at one of their dibers at the Albany Club. Also included with this prize is a bottle of Malt Whisky!

Profile Wine Group

TRIP - Profile Wine Group trip to tour the vineyards of Bordeaux.

Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery

To the winner of this prize goes a dozen bottles of Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc as well as an intimate barrel tasting at its estate! Enjoy four bottles from the Wismer Vineyard, four bottles from the McNally Vineyard and four bottles of the Vintners Private Reserve - all from the 2009 vintage! In addition the winner plus 3 lucky guests will enjoy a barrel tasting at the picturesque Peninsula Ridge Estate in Beamsville - prior booking will be necessary.

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

Three large format (3L) wooden cased Jackson-Triggs 2004 Grand Reserve Meritage bottles signed by winemaker Marco Piccoli for our top three winners in the Amateur round.

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

An unforgettable experience awaits you next summer at the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate winery for Twilight in the Vineyard 2011! You and a guest will enjoy a performance of your choice and a Cellar Dinner. (The winner will need to contact J-T to finalize details of this incredible package for two.)

Inniskillin Wines

Three large format (750 ml) gift cased Inniskillin 2004 'Legacy' Cabernet Franc Icewine bottles signed by Winemaker/Inniskillin Co-Founder Karl Kaiser for our top three winners in the Professional round.

Pillitteri Estates Winery

For the winner and 19 of your friends goes a private Tutored Wine and Cheese Tasting. Become "one of the family" as Pillitterri Estates takes you and your friends on a tour of its Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyard and winemaking facilities. This includes a visit to their one-of-a-kind beautiful barrel cellar. You will enjoy specific food and wine pairings while learning the fine art of wine appreciation. Pillitteri will feature five of their premium VQA wines including their award winning Icewine, along with gourmet appetisers.

The winner and seven (7) lucky guests will attend a very special dinner at Canoe Restaurant. Your evening will include cocktails and then a very special chef's tasting menu with wine pairings. Your wines will be selected by Senior Sommelier (and past Challenge winner!) William Predhomme. Canoe will be sure to make this a very special evening to celebrate your achievement at the 2010 Wine Tasting Challenge.

John Szabo MS, WINE ALIGN

The winner will be invited to spend a day in the life of Master Sommelier John Szabo, Canada's first Master Sommelier! He also holds the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Diploma, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild Diploma. John has been working in the hospitality business for over 15 years, filling many positions including cook, sommelier, wine importer, restaurant & winery consultant, educator, wine writer and winemaker. Today, he reviews, writes, blogs, consults, judges, teaches, speaks and airs his views on the radio. All, that is, when he's not traveling the wine regions of the world in search of the best, or making his own wine from his small vineyard in Eger, Hungary. Prior booking will be necessary.

Tre Amici Imports

Tre Amici will be taking a different spin to their prize - the winners will enjoy a bottle (750 ml) of Clase Azul Reposado Tequila and a bottle (750 ml) of Clase Azul Plata Tequila.

Huff Estates

Two nights stay for the winner of this prize in a premiere suite at "The Inn at Huff Estates". The winner and guest will also experience a tour of Prince Edward County and enjoy food at some of it's locat restaurants.

Colio Estate Winery

Colio is pleased to offer a one night stay for two (one room) at Casino Windsor (Saturday only) including dinner for two at the casino. This prize also includes a private barrel room tasting with Colio winemaker Tim Reilly on the Saturday at the winery in Harrow.

Learn about the science of wine. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is offering two bursaries of $500 for winners to select an educational opportunity that builds their knowledge about the making and tasting of wine.

Noble Estates Wines & Spirits

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Frontanafredda Estates

TRIP - Courtesy of Frontanafredda Estates airfare for one plus accommodation at its estate in Italy! Enjoy a tour and tasting at the winery during your stay. Further details on this trip of a lifetime including other Piemonte related activities to come. This trip will be especially interesting for the winner as 2011 will mark Italy's 150th Anniversary celebration and Frontanafredda was the hunting estate of the first King of Italy!

Authentic Wines and Spirits Merchants

TRIP - A trip to Italy to Masi Ornellia and Massetto. Your trip includes accommodation and food during your stay.

Halpern Enterprises

TRIP - Antinori and Halpern Enterprises have generously donated 5 days in Tuscany touring the famous Antinori vineyards, tasting legendary wines, enjoying specially prepared fine food and all the while staying in the private residences of the Antinori family.

LCBO

The LCBO has generously donated to all the winners in the Professional Round - Tickets for two to attend a Vintages Event held in Toronto. Also, to all the winners in the Amateur Round - Tickets for two to an upcoming Tutored Tasting at one of the LCBO event kitchens.

Norm Hardie Winery & Vineyard

VIP tour, tasting and luncheon for the winner of this prize plus NINE guests! Yes, ten people will enjoy this exclusive opportunity to taste, tour and eat at the Norman Hardie Winery and Vineyard in Prince Edward County.

Vineland Estates Winery

Vineland Estates Winery is happy to support the front line hospitality service staff by providing a unique Chef's Creative Menu dinner at the award-winning Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant. The winner of this prize and three guests will enjoy a special multi course meal expertly paired with Vineland Estates wines. You will also receive a VIP tour and barrel tasting with one of the principals of the property and a special congratulatory gift of reserve wines. We will make this a night to celebrate your achievement at the Challenge.

A "Royal" Stay: Fairmont Royal York - Dinner for two at Epic Restaurant followed by one night stay in a VIP suite with breakfast in bed to follow.

Spiegelau

Spiegelau will give each of our winners in the competition a complete set of premium performance Stemware. Stemware will vary according to their placing and to to the area in which they win. Spiegelau also provides all stemware for the competition.

Michael Vaughan

Spend a day assessing some 100 Vintages releases with Michael Vaughan, one of Canada's leading critics, columnist and editor of Vintage Assessments. Join Michael on his hectic schedule into the LCBO tasting lab. See how he sources the best offerings from the LCBO while discovering the upcoming bargains. Prior booking is necessary to ensure availability.

Donald Ziraldo

Spend an incredible day at the Icewine harvest with the legendary Donald Ziraldo, co-founder of Inniskillin Winery. Share the day, learn the insights of one of Canada's most prolific visionaries. The winner will also receive a signed copy of his book: "Icewine: Extreme Winemaking". NOTE - the Awards Banquet will take place in early 2011, consequently this prize shall be booked during the Icewine harvest in 2012 - prior arrangements are necessary to ensure availability.

Spirit of Hospitality

It is with great pleasure that the Spirit of Hospitality has supported the Challenge with a "Spirit Package" consisting of: 6 burgundy glasses; 6 bier/saft glasses, 6 water glasses; 6 Prosecco glasses; 6 coffee cup set; 6 dinner plates and a Patrick McMurray "Shucker Paddy" Signature Oyster Knife by SPIRIT.

Family Wine Merchants

TRIP - Family Wine Merchants and Gerard Bertrand Wines will provide an unforgettable weekend for two (three nights) stay at the Chateau l'Hospitalet in France. Your weekend will include a gourmet dinner during your stay and a VIP tour of one or more wineries from their portfolio.